Why i swim…

This time 4 years ago I started sea swimming or wild swimming as it’s often known.

For context, I live in Scotland and the sea is never really that warm, even at it’s warmest. The sea kind of scares me. I don’t like the thought of seaweed, fish or anything else coming too close. I’m not a fan of the cold as I have Raynaud’s meaning my hands and feet go pure white and ‘dead’ in the cold. Oh and I’m a self taught swimmer.

So why on earth would I start swimming in these cold Scottish waters (without a wetsuit)?

Because I believed I couldn’t.

I was so adamant that I couldn’t that I decided I had to. I had to do it at least once. Doing it once would mean I’m then making a choice to do it or not do it again.

Sea swimming reminds me that if I can do that, I can do anything I choose to. My weekly seaswims are a reset for the mind and body.

Dr Susanna Søberg has studied the effects of cold water therapy. In her conversation with Dr Rangan Chatterjee on his Feel Better Live More podcast she shares the physical and mental benefits. What really stuck with me is that she said ‘every time you get in the water, you’ve been successful'. I carry this with me!